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Effloresced E.G.O::Spicebush
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
So... Is this the trespasser?
The child's voice was rather dry.
With an apathetic expression and voice, he was looking down at the person dragged in front of him.
Diligent Member
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Yes, sir. They might have been trying to loot Enkephalin from the facility... They came down to the underground alone.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
...I see, you may go now.
Perhaps that's the child's subordinate. The member who dragged the person with bound arms into the room bowed to the child before walking away.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Now... You may begin talking. For what reason did you go to that place?
As the fan folded shut, the captured one started arguing in their defense.
Captured Thief
(???)
A-Are you their leader?
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
...It does happen to be my current position.
Captured Thief
(???)
Look... I'm risking my life trying to earn some cash. It's not like you rented this whole facility to yourselves or anything, does it hurt to share some of that?
The child's expression becomes further unconcerned. He seemed almost puzzled by the claim.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
It appears to me that you may have a misunderstanding...
Captured Thief
(???)
I'm not misunderstanding a thing! I saw that fancy lab you've set up here, too... What, I guess there wasn't any Enkephalin left here that you could pocket, huh?
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
That is not an installation meant for harvesting Enkephalin...
Captured Thief
(???)
What else can it be!
*Shrft*
The child forcefully unfolded his fan, making his unwillingness to hear more of it clear.
The complaining person stopped their argument for a second, overwhelmed by the sound and the pungent scent emitted with it.
Captured Thief
(???)
W-What. Now that I got a closer look, you seem strange. There are flowers on your head, and...
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
These... are bloomed things.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
The nostalgia in my mind for a certain time I would like to summon forth has taken form.
Facing the perplexed expression, the child stands up and slowly walks toward them.
Captured Thief
(???)
Eek, s-stay away!
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
There is no need to fear. You admitted yourself that you're risking your life.
The child doesn't seem to have any hostile intent. Rather, he seemed as if his eyes were set on something far, far away.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
If I may ask... Have you seen a proper flower in recent times?
Captured Thief
(???)
...I don't think... I've seen any in person. Artificial ones were everywhere, though.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Indeed... Technology has come to a point where it robs us of what originally brought us enjoyment and glee.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
One day... in our pursuit of convenience and expediency, we'd lost what used to matter more than technology.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
If it weren't for such technologies, you would not be living the life of a petty Enkephalin thief, is that not right?
The captured person seemed to be flustered by the child's question, rolling their eyes for a bit.
Captured Thief
(???)
No, but still...
Captured Thief
(???)
If it weren't for technology, I wouldn't be alive at all by now... though?
Captured Thief
(???)
My life was saved by some ampule K Corp. made once, even though it cost me an arm and a leg...
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
……
The child briefly contemplated in silence...
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Indeed, you raise a fair point.
Then he gave his reply with a snicker.
Captured Thief
(???)
What?
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Although I happened to be assigned the position of a leader... My goal is slightly different from what they chant in unison.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
When an artificial flower was first made, when fireworks were first invented...
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
The pure delight and joy of witnessing them emerge for the first time in the world.
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
Do you not yearn for that feeling as well?
Captured Thief
(???)
...You're not right in your mind, are you?
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
You may be correct in your judgement. Yet...
Yi Sang
(Technology Liberation Alliance)
That path appears quite charming to me. And, I felt my mind bloom wider than ever as I conceived that idea.
The child's mind was clear and steadfast.
It seemed that no one could dare snap it.